Fears leaving EU will impact regeneration of Bognor Regis

The Regis Centre, a prime regeneration site. Pic: Derek Martin

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Brexit could cause further delays to the Bognor Regis regeneration, that is the fear of the board's advisor.

David Myers said: “Who will want to spend £80m in a period of economic uncertainty?”

He deemed the outcome of the EU referendum vote on June 23, as, ‘not just important for the country, but for the local area’.

The collapse of talks with St Modwen’s, the developer previously undertaking the project, has been widely attributed to the recession of 2008 and Mr Myers called on Arun District Council to take heed.

He said: “A lot of work went into the masterplan ten years ago, that window of opportunity came and went.

“It is important for Arun to get it right, but it is also important for them to realise that.”

Timing is crucial with an important meeting next month expected to reveal more.

Mr Myers said: “The July date is an important date, they have been working towards that since - I think - the November full council.

He expressed his belief that ‘it will pave the way forward’ but added ‘I would be surprised if it gives anything like a tender strategy’.

Mr Myers added his view that ‘the best result for anything tend to be a collaboration’, and that a bid is unlikely to be just given the go ahead.

He said: “I think, to an extent, it is all to play for really.

“A destination would be fantastic, a cultural offering would - I think - provide Bognor Regis with a positive change of perspective in the eyes of the people.

“I think everyone would like to see that.”

For the full story see the Bognor Regis Observer, out tomorrow, June 23.